Azolylamine derivative

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a fungicide containing, as an effective ingredient, a compound having the general formula (I): ##STR1## or an acid addition salt thereof, particularly the compound wherein an absolute configuration of the asymmetric carbon atoms is R,R-configuration or an acid addition salt thereof.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/781,204, now U.S. Pat. No.5,716,969 filed Jan. 9, 1997, which is a division of application Ser.No. 08/532,800 filed Nov. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,994, issuedApr. 15, 1997, which was a §371 national phase of internationalapplication PCT/JP94/00737 filed May 2, 1994, claiming priority fromJapanese patent application Ser. No. 132,931 filed May 10, 1993.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an azolylamine derivative which iseffective for treatment for mycosis in human and animals and useful asfungicides for agricultural and horticultural use or industrial use.

BACKGROUND ART

Azolylamine derivatives having, in the molecule, both of an azolyl groupsuch as triazolyl group or imidazolyl group and a cyclic amino groupsuch as piperidino group, pyrrolidino group or morpholino group aredescribed in JP-A(Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication)-140768/1982and GB-A-2159148. However, it is hard to say in the aspect of anantifungal action etc. that each compound has sufficient efficacy as amedicament. Furthermore, any compound having methylene group or asubstituted methylene group on the cyclic amino group is not disclosedtherein.

The present invention provides a novel azolylamine derivative showingthe potent antifungal activity which is characterized by havingmethylene group or a substituted methylene group on the cyclic aminogroup.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a compound having the general formula(I): ##STR2## wherein Ar is non-substituted phenyl group or a phenylgroup substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from a halogen atomand trifluoromethyl,

R¹ and R² are the same or different and are hydrogen atom, a lower alkylgroup, a non-substituted aryl group, an aryl group substituted with 1 to3 substituents selected from a halogen atom and a lower alkyl group, analkenyl group, an alkynyl group or an aralkyl group,

m is 2 or 3,

n is 1 or 2,

X is nitrogen atom or CH, and

*1 and *2 mean an asymmetric carbon atom, or an acid addition saltthereof.

As the above-mentioned compound having the general formula (I), thereare particularly preferable the compound wherein an absoluteconfiguration of the asymmetric carbon atoms with *1 and *2 isR,R-configuration, and the compound being a mixture containing thecompound having the general formula (I) wherein the absoluteconfiguration of the asymmetric carbon atoms with *1 and *2 isR,R-configuration or an acid addition salt thereof and other opticalisomer.

The present invention also provides a fungicide containing theabove-mentioned compound having the general formula (I) or an acidaddition salt thereof as an effective ingredient, and a process fortreating mycosis using the above-mentioned compound.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the above-mentioned general formula (I), the substituted phenyl groupis a phenyl group having 1 to 3 substituents selected from a halogenatom and trifluoromethyl, and includes, for instance,2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,4-dichlorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl,2-chlorophenyl, 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl,4-bromophenyl or the like.

The lower alkyl group includes, for instance, a straight chain, branchedchain or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl,n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl and tert-pentyl.

The non-substituted aryl group includes, for instance, phenyl, naphthyl,biphenyl, or the like.

The substituted aryl group includes, for instance, 2,4-difluorophenyl,2,4-dichlorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2-chlorophenyl,4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 4-bromophenyl,4-tert-butylphenyl, 4-ntrophenyl, or the like.

The alkenyl group includes, for instance, vinyl, 1-propenyl, styryl, orthe like.

The alkynyl group includes, for instance, ethynyl, or the like.

The aralkyl group includes, for instance, benzyl, naphthylmethyl,4-nitrobenzyl, or the like.

The compound of the present invention having the general formula (I)contains at least two asymmetric carbon atoms in the molecule, and thereexsist an optical isomer and a diastereomer. With respect to the opticalisomer, both enantiomers can be obtained according to the generalprocedure of optical resolution or asymmetric synthesis. A separation ofthe diastereomer can be carried out according to the usual separationprocedure such as a fractional recrystallization or a chromatography togive each isomer. The compound having the general formula (I) includesone of these isomers or a mixture thereof.

Among these, the compound wherein an absolute configuration of theasymmetric carbon atoms is R,R-configuration, has particularly potentantifungal action and therefore it is preferably used particularly.

Representative examples of the compound of the present invention havingthe general formula (I) include, for instance,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)butane-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butane-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS3-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1H-imidazol-i-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-ethylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-ethylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-ethylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-propylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-3-(4-propylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-propylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-n-butylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-n-butylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-n-butylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-n-pentylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-n-pentylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-n-pentylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-3-(4-n-hexylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-n-hexylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-n-hexylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-cyclopropylmethylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-cyclopropylmethylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-cyclopropylmethylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-cyclohexylmethylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-cyclohexylmethylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-cyclohexylmethylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-benzylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-benzylidenepiperidin)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-benzylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-isopropylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-isopropylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-isopropylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-diphenylmethylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-diphenylmethylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-diphenylmethylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-propenylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-propenylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan--2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-propenylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-propynylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-propynylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-propynylidenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(3-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(3-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(3-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(3-methylenepyrrolidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(3-methylenepyrrolidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(3-methylenepyrrolidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,

and the like.

The compound of the present invention having the general formula (I) canbe prepared according to the process shown as below: ##STR3## (In theabove-mentioned formulae, Ar, R¹, R², X, m and n have the same meaningsas defined above.)

Namely, the reaction of an epoxy compound having the general formula(II) and an amine derivative having the general formula (III) can leadto the compound having the general formula (I).

The epoxy compound having the general formula (II) can be obtainedaccording to such process as is described in JP-A(Japanese UnexaminedPatent Publication)-191262/1990 etc., for example, a process wherein acompound having the general formula (IV): ##STR4## wherein Ar and X havethe same meanings as defined above, is reacted in the presence of a basewith a compound having the formula R³ SO₂ --O--SO₂ R³ or R³ SO₂ --Z,wherein R³ is a lower alkyl group, a halogenated lower alkyl group, or aphenyl group which may be substituted, and Z is a leaving group such asa halogen atom, to give a compound (V): ##STR5## and then the compound(V) is reacted with a base.

The amine derivative having the general formula (III) can be obtainedaccording to the known synthetic process described in, for example,Chem. Pharm. Bull. 41 (11) 1971-1986 (1993) or processes described inReference Examples of the present invention.

In case that the amine derivative is in a form of a salt thereof with anacid such as a base, the amine derivative is used in a form of a freeamine by being neutralized previously or in a reaction solution with aninorganic base such as sodium hydroxide or an organic base such astriethylamine.

The reaction is usually carried out using water, an organic solvent or amixed solution of water and an organic solvent, or in the absence of anysolvent. As the organic solvent, a solvent which does not react with astarting compound can be used. For example, an alcohol such as methanol,ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, tert-butanol, ethyleneglycol, propylene glycol, grycerin or methyl cellosolve, an ether suchas tetrahydrofuran, dioxane or dimethoxyethane, an amide such asN,N-dimethylformamide or N,N-dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, andthe like can be used alone or in a mixture thereof.

In the above-mentioned reaction system, the reaction advances moresmoothly by adding 1 to 80 v/v % of water in the mixed solution to thereaction system in comparison with using only an organic solvent.

With respect to an amount of each material in the reaction solution,from 1 to 20 mol of the compound (III) is used per mol of the compound(II).

A reaction temperature is room temperature to 200° C., preferably 50 to150° C. A reaction time is 1 to 72 hours.

After the end of the reaction, the solvent is removed and thenpurification is carried out according to a procedure such as arecrystallization or a chromatography. Thereby the compound of thepresent invention having the general formula (I) is isolated.

The compound of the present invention having the general formula (I)can, if required, form a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, forexample, a salt thereof with an inorganic acid such as hydrochloricacid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid or hydrobromic acid,and a salt thereof with an organic acid such as fumaric acid, maleicacid, acetic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid,methanesulfonic acid or toluenesulfonic acid.

Then, the antifungal activity of the compound of it the presentinvention having the above-mentioned general formula (I) is described.Test compound number used in the following tests was referred to theexample number described below.

1. Determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)

MIC of a test compound against Candida albicans ATCC-10259 wasdetermined by the both dilution method employing synthetic amino acidmedium (SAAMF medium). Namely, to 3 μl of twofold dilution series ofsolution containing the test compound was added 300 μl of SAAMF mediuminoculated with the fungus at the final concentration of 1×10³ cells/ml.After thus obtained mixture was incubated at 35° C. for 2 days, MIC wasdetermined by examining a minimum concentration of the test compound inwhich concentration the test compound inhibited the growth of thefungus. MIC of a test compound against the fungus other than the Candidaalbicans was determined by the agar dilution method employingSabouraud's agar medium. That is to say, a test compound was dissolvedin dimethyl sulfoxide to give a solution containing the test compound inthe concentration of 10 mg/ml. Further, thus obtained solution wasdiluted with dimethyl sulfoxide according to twofold dilution series and0.1 ml of the diluted solution was taken into a sterile shale. After 9.9ml of Sabouraud's agar medium was added thereto, the mixture wassufficiently mixed to give a drug-added plate. The plate was inoculatedwith 5 μl of a fungus suspension at 10⁶ cells/ml by Microplanter (SakumaSeisakusho Co., Ltd.). As to Aspergillus fumigatus NI-5561 andCryptococcus neoformans NI-7496, a plate was incubated at 30° C. for 48hours. As to Trichophyton mentagrophytes KD-01, a plate was incubated at30° C. for 7 days. After incubation, MIC was determined by examining aminimum concentration of a test compound in which concentration the testcompound inhibited the growth of the fungus. The results thereof areshown in Table 1. Clotrimazole and fluconazole were used as comparativecontrol compounds.

The abbreviated designation of names of the test fungi is as follows:

    ______________________________________                         Abbreviated    Name of fungus       designation    ______________________________________    Candida albicans ATCC 10259                         C. a.    Cryptococcus neoformans NI-7496                         Cr. n    Aspergillus fumigatus NI-5561                         A. f.    Trichophyton mentagrophytes KD-01                         T. m.    ______________________________________

The antifungal activity (the minimum inhibitory concentration MIC) ofthe compound of the present invention in the Examples against eachfungus is shown in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1    ______________________________________    Test       Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC(μg/ml)    compound   Test fungus    (Ex. No.)  C.a.     Cr.n.     A.f.   T.m.    ______________________________________    1          <0.025   0.05      0.05   0.39    2          <0.025   0.1       0.1    0.39    3          0.39     0.78      >100   50    4          <0.025   <0.025    0.05   <0.025    5          <0.025   0.025     0.05   0.1    6          <0.0125  0.2       6.25   3.13    7          0.025    0.05      0.39   0.39    8          <0.025   0.1       0.2    0.78    10         <0.025   0.025     0.1    0.39    12         <0.025   0.1       0.2    0.78    13         0.1      0.39      0.78   1.56    14         <0.025   0.39      0.39   0.78    Clotrimazole               0.025    0.2       0.78   0.39    Fluconazole               0.39     12.5      >100   >100    ______________________________________     Clotrimazole     ##STR6##     Fluconazole     ##STR7##    2

The above-mentioned results reveal that the compound of the presentinvention having the general formula (I), especially the compoundwherein the absolute configuration is R,R-configuration, has extremelyhigh activity in comparison with conventional fungicides.

Furthermore, compared to Clotrimazole and fluconazole, it is found thatthe compound of the present invention, i.e. the compound wherein acyclic amino group having methylene group is bonded, has surprisinglyhigh activity.

2. Test on treatment for infection

(1) Effect on trichophytosis in guinea pigs.

In the back of male Hartley guinea pig, weighing 400 to 500 g, a portionof skin was unhaired and rubbed lightly with sandpaper, to which 0.1 mlof microconidium suspension of Trichophyton mentagrophytes KD-04 (10⁷cells/ml) was dropped and the skin surface was infected by rubbing itwith a glass rod. The test compound was dissolved in polyethylene glycol400-ethanol (75:25) so as to give a 1% solution thereof and 0.2 ml ofthe resultant solution was applied for treatment once a day for 10 daysfrom 3 days after the infection. The animal was killed by etherization 2days after the last treatment and 10 tissue specimens of skin were cutout from the infected portion and incubated on Sabouraud's agar mediumfor 7 days. Inhibitory ratio was calculated according to the followingformula:

    Inhibitory ratio (%={1-(number of tissue specimens found fungi/total number of tissue specimens)}×100

The results are shown in Table 2. Clotrimazole was used as a controlcompound.

                  TABLE 2    ______________________________________                     Inhibitory ratio    Group            (%)    ______________________________________    Control (non-treated)                      0    Control (vehicle)                      0    Compound of Example 1                     98    Clotrimazole     20    ______________________________________

(2) Therapeutic effect on cutaneous candidiasis in guinea pigs.

In the back of male Hartley guinea pig, weighing 400 to 500 g, a portionof skin was unhaired, to which 0.1 no of spore suspension of Candidaalbicans KC-36 (5×10⁷ cells/ml) was dropped and the skin surface wasinfected by rubbing it with a glass rod. To facilitate the infection,prednisolone was subcutaneously administered at 30 mg/kg on one daybefore the infection, the day of infection and 4 days after theinfection. The test compound was dissolved in polyethylene glycol400-ethanol (75:25) so as to give a 1% solution thereof and 0.2 ml ofthe resultant solution was applied for treatment once a day for 3 daysfrom 2 days after the infection. The animal was killed by etherization 2days after the last treatment and 10 tissue specimens of skin were cutout from the infected portion and incubated on CANDIDA GS AGAR `EIKEN`(EIKEN CHEMICAL CO., LTD. ) for 7 days. The inhibitory ratio wascalculated according to the above-mentioned formula. The results areshown in Table 3. Clotrimazole was employed as a control compound.

                  TABLE 3    ______________________________________                     Inhibitory ratio    Group            (%)    ______________________________________    Control (non-treated)                      4    Control (vehicle)                      8    Compound of Example 1                     98    Clotrimazole     96    ______________________________________

Based on the above tests 1 and 2, it was found that the compound of thepresent invention had strong and widely efficacious antifungal action.

3. Acute toxicity test for mice

The compound of Example 1 was dissolved in polyethylene glycol 200 andthe resultant solution was applied to a male ICR mouse of 5 weeks old byoral or subcutaneous administration. The results are shown in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4    ______________________________________             Number of died mice/number of tested mice    Dose       subcutaneous  oral    ______________________________________    1000 mg/kg 0/3           0/3     500 mg/kg 0/3           0/3     250 mg/kg 0/3           --     125 mg/kg 0/3           --    ______________________________________

As shown in the above Table, it is found that the compound of thepresent invention has low toxicity.

The compounds of the present invention have strong antifungal activityand low toxicity. A fungicide containing the compound of the presentinvention having the general formula (I) as an effective ingredient canbe employed to treat local and generalized mycosis in a mammal includinghuman, which are caused by a fungus, especially such as Candida,Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton, Malassezia, Cryptococcusneoformans, Aspergillus, Coccidioides, Paracoccidioides, Histoplasma orBlastomyces. The fungicide containing the compound of the presentinvention as an effective ingredient is useful not only for treatmentfor mycosis in human and animals but also as fungicides for agriculturaland horticultural use, fungicides for industrial use and the like.

The fungicide containing the compound of the present invention havingthe general formula (I) as an effective ingredient may comprise thecompound alone or may be a mixture of the compound and liquid or solidauxiliary ingredients in preparing a pharmaceutical preparation such asan excipient, a binder and a diluent. The fungicide can be externallyapplied or orally or parenterally administered. If required, thefungicide may contain other medicament.

In the case of administering the compound as an external preparation,the preparation may be in a dosage form such as a cream, a liquidpreparation, an ointment, an oculentum, a suppository, a vaginalsuppository, a powder or an emulsion. In preparing the externalpreparation, there can be used an oily base, an emulsion base or thelike. A preferable content of the effective ingredient is 0.1 to 10% byweight. The dosage may suitably vary with an area of an affected partand the symptom.

In case of oral administration, the fungicide is used as a powder, atablet, a granule, a capsule or a syrup, and further, the fungicide isalso used as a injection such as a subcutaneous injection, anintramuscular injection or an intravenous injection.

Although the dosage is different according to the age and body weight ofa patient and an individual condition, the dosage is 10 mg to 10 g,preferably about 50 mg to about 5 g as an effective ingredient per dayfor an adult. With respect to a manner of administration, the compoundis administered at the above-mentioned dosage per day in one to severaltimes.

The present invention is more specifically explained by means of thefollowing Examples and Reference Examples. However, it is to beunderstood that the present invention is not limited to those Examples.

¹ H-NMR spectra were determined in the solution of deulteriochloroform(CDCl₃) using tetramethylsilane as an internal standard by means ofJNM-EX270 spectrometer (JEOL LTD.), and a value of chemical shift (δ)was expressed with ppm. The determination by high performance liquidchromatography (hereinafter, referred to as HPLC) was carried out usingan chiral column, CHIRALCEL OJ (4.6 mm×25 cm, Daicel ChemicalIndustries, Ltd.) by means of LC-6A (HPLC apparatus, ShimadzuCorporation).

EXAMPLE 1(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol

There was added 11.2 ml of 50% aqueous solution of potassium hydroxideto 1.336 g of 4-methylenepiperidine hydrochloride and, after dissolvedunder stirring, the resulting solution was extracted with 20 ml of ethylether. Then the aqueous phase was further extracted with 10 ml of ethylether, and the organic phases were combined and ethyl ether was removedtherefrom. To the residue there were added 3 ml of ethanol, 251 mg of(2R,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-methyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl!oxirane and 3 ml of distilled water inorder, and the mixture was refluxed with heating for 24 hours in the oilbath at 85° C. After the reaction, the reaction solution was cooled toroom temperature, and thereto were added 20 ml of ethyl acetate and 20ml of distilled water, and the organic phase was separated. The aqueousphase was further extracted with 10 ml of ethyl acetate, and the organicphase was combined with the above-separated organic phase, and themixture was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride,and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and then the solvent wasremoved. The residue was subjected to HPLC using 8 g of silica gel andwas eluted with a mixed solvent of ethyl acetate/hexane (4:1 to 3:1) toobtain 188 mg of the titled compound. Yield: 54.0%. Uponrecrystallization from a mixed solvent of ether/hexane, a pure producthaving a melting point of 86°-87° C. was obtained.

HPLC: The analysis was carried out using hexane/isopropyl alcohol of 9/1as a mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min at room temperatureunder the conditions capable of detecting with UV (254 nm), and then asingle peak appeared at a retention time of 6.6 minutes.

Specific rotation: α!_(D) ²⁸ -93° (C=1.99, CHCl₃)

Elemental analysis: For C₁₈ H₂₂ F₂ N₄ O Calculated: C,62.15; H,6.36;N,16.02 Found: C,62.05; H,6.37; N,16.08

¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) δ ppm: 0.96 (3H,dd), 2.1-2.5 (6H,m), 2.6-2.8(2H,m), 2.91 (1H,q), 4.64 (2H,s), 4.80 (1H,d), 4.89 (1H,d), 5.48(1H,brs), 6.7-6.8 (2H,m), 7.47-7.63 (1H,m), 7.79 (1H,s), 8.03 (1H,s)

EXAMPLE 2(2RS,3RS)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol

The titled compound was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1except that instead of (2R, 3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-methyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl!oxirane,(2RS,3SR)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-methyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl!oxirane being a racemic modificationthereof was used.

HPLC: The analysis was carried out using hexane/isopropyl alcohol of 9/1as a mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min at room temperatureunder the conditions capable of detecting with UV (254 nm), and then twopeaks having an area ratio thereof of 1:1 appeared at retention times of6.6 minute and 5.8 minute, respectively.

¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) δ ppm: 0.96 (3H,dd,J=3 Hz,7 Hz), 2.1-2.5(6H,m), 2.6-2.8 (2H,m), 2.91 (1H,q,J=7Hz), 4.64 (2H,s), 4.80(1H,d,J=15Hz), 4.89 (1H,d,J=15Hz), 5.47 (1H,brs), 6.7-6.8 (2H,m),7.5-7.6 (1H,m), 7.79 (1H,s), 8.02 (1H,s)

EXAMPLE 3(2S,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-l,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol

The titled compound was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1except that instead of (2R,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-methyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl!oxirane,(2S,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-methyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl!oxirane being an enantiomer thereof wasused.

HPLC: The analysis was carried out using hexane/isopropyl alcohol of 9/1as a mobile phase, at a flow rate of

1.0 ml/min at room temperature under the conditions capable of detectingwith UV (254 nm), and then a single peak appeared at a retention time of5.8 minutes.

¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) δ ppm: 0.96 (3H,dd,J=3Hz,7Hz), 2.1-2.5 (6H,m),2.6-2.8 (2H,m), 2.91 (1H,q,J=7Hz), 4.64 (2H,s), 4.80 (1H,d,J=15Hz), 4.89(1H,d,J=15Hz), 5.48 (1H,brs), 6.7-6.8 (2H,m), 7.5-7.6 (1H,m), 7.78(1H,s), 8.03 (1H,s)

EXAMPLES 4 TO 14

The compounds of Examples 4 to 14 shown in Table 6 were synthesizedusing starting materials shown in Table 5 in the same manner as inExample 1.

                                      TABLE 5    __________________________________________________________________________       Epoxy compound (II)  Amine derivative (III)    Ex.       3 #STR8##                            4 #STR9##    No.       X   *1  *2  Ar       R.sup.1                                R.sup.2                                      m  n    __________________________________________________________________________    4  CH  R   S   2,4-difluorophenyl                            H   H     2  2    5  CH  RS  SR  2,4-difluorophenyl                            H   H     2  2    6  N   R   S   4-chlorophenyl                            H   H     2  2    7  N   R   S   2,4-dichlorophenyl                            H   H     2  2    8  N   RS  SR  2,4-difluorophenyl                            H   CH3   2  2    9  N   R   S   2,4-difluorophenyl                            H   n-C.sub.5 H.sub.11                                      2  2    10 N   RS  SR  2,4-difluorophenyl                            H   Ph*   2  2    11 N   R   S   2,4-difluorophenyl                            Ph* Ph*   2  2    12 N   R   S   2,4-difluorophenyl                            H   CH═CH.sub.2                                      2  2    13 N   R   S   2,4-difluorophenyl                            H   H     3  1    14 N   R   S   2,4-difluorophenyl                            H   H     2  1    __________________________________________________________________________     *Ph is phenyl group

                                      TABLE 6    __________________________________________________________________________    5 #STR10##    Obtained compound                     Absolute    Ex.              configuration    No.       R.sup.1         R.sup.2              X  m n *1 *2  Ar        *H--NMR spectrum (CDCl.sub.3)    __________________________________________________________________________    4  H H    CH 2 2 R  R   2,4-difluorophenyl                                      1.03(3H, dd, J=5Hz, 7Hz), 2.2-2.4(8H,                                      m),                                      2.77(1H, q, J=7Hz), 4.35(1H, d,                                      J=14Hz),                                      4.54(1H, d, J=14Hz), 4.64(2H, s),                                      6.7-6.8(3H, m), 6.92(1H, s),                                      7.45(1H, s), 7.5-7.6(1H, m)    5  H H    CH 2 2 RS RS  2, 4-difluorophenyl                                      1.02(3H, dd, J=5Hz, 7Hz), 2.2-2.4(8H,                                      m),                                      2.77(1H, q, J=7Hz), 4.35(1H, J=14Hz),                                      4.54(1H, d, J=14Hz), 4.64(2H, s),                                      6.7-6.8(3H, m), 6.92(1H, s),                                      7.45(1H, s), 7.5-7.6(1H, m)    6  H H    N  2 2 R  R   4-chlorophenyl                                      1.07(3H, d, J=7Hz), 2.0-2.4(8H, m),                                      2.55(1H, q, J=7Hz), 4.41(1H, d,                                      J=14Hz),                                      4.61(2H, s), 4.70(1H, d, J=14Hz),                                      5.80(1H, s), 7.2-7.5(4H, m),                                      7.84(1H, s), 8.17(1H, s)    7  H H    N  2 2 R  R   2,4-dichlorophenyl                                      0.80(3H, d, J=7Hz), 2.2-2.4(4H, m),                                      2.4-2.6(2H, m), 2.9-3.1(2H, m),                                      3.55(1H, q, J=7Hz), 4.66(2H, s),                                      4.83(1H, d, J=15), 4.91(1H, s),                                      5.52(1H, d, J=l5Hz),                                      7.09(1H, dd, J=9Hz, 2Hz),                                      7.27(1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.56(1H, d,                                      J=9Hz),                                      7.74(1H, s), 7.93(1H, s), 8.04(1H, s)    8  H CH.sub.3              N  2 2 RS RS  2,4-difluorophenyl                                      0.97(3H, dd, J=3Hz, 7Hz),                                      1.56(3H, d, J=7Hz), 2.1-2.5(6H, m),                                      2.5-2.8(2H, m), 2.87(1H, q, J=7Hz),                                      4.79(1H, d, J=15Hz), 4.88(1H, d,                                      J=15Hz),                                      5.17(1H, q, J=7Hz), 5.62(1H, s),                                      6.7-6.9(2H, m), 7.27(1H, s),                                      7.5-7.6(1H, m), 7.79(1H, s), 8.05(1H,                                      s)    9  H C.sub.5 H.sub.11              N  2 2 R  R   2,4-difluorophenyl                                      0.88(3H, t, J=7Hz),                                      0.97(3H, dd, J=7Hz, 4Hz), 1.2-1.4(6H,                                      m),                                      1.9-2.0(2H, m), 2.1-2.3(6H, m),                                      2.6(2H, m), 2.86(1H, q, J=7Hz),                                      4.78(1H, d, J=15Hz), 4.88(1H, d,                                      J=16Hz),                                      5.10(1H, t, J=7Hz), 5.6(1H, brs),                                      6.7-6.8(2H, m), 7.3-7.6(1H, m),                                      7.79(1H, s), 8.05(1H, s)    10 H Ph   N  2 2 RS RS  2,4-difluorophenyl                                      0.97(3H, dd, J=3Hz, 7Hz),                                      1.56(3H, d, J=7Hz), 2.6-2.7(1H, m),                                      2.7-2.8(1H, m), 2.91(1H, q, J=7Hz),                                      4.82(1H, d, J=15Hz), 4.91(1H, d,                                      J=15Hz),                                      5.5(1H, brs), 6.26(1H, s),                                      6.7-6.8(2H, m), 7.1-7.2(3H, m),                                      7.3(2H, m), 7.5-7.6(1H, m),                                      7.79(1H, s), 8.03(1H, s)    11 Ph         Ph   N  2 2 R  R   2,4-difluorophenyl                                      1.00(3H, dd, J=7Hz), 2.35(6H, s),                                      2.6-2.7(2H, m), 2.89(1H, q, J=7Hz),                                      4.76-4.90(2H, dd, J=9Hz, 15Hz),                                      6.7-6.8(2H, m), 7.1-7.3(10H, m),                                      7.5(1H, m), 7.78(1H, s), 8.05(1H, s)    12 H CHCH.sub.2              N  2 2 R  R   2,4-difluorophenyl                                      0.95, 1.01(3H, eachdd, J=3Hz, 7Hz),                                      1.76(2H, d), 2.1-2.2(2H, m),                                      2.3-2.4(2H, m), 2.6-2.7(1H, m),                                      2.9(1H, m), 3.0-3.3(1H, m),                                      4.6-5.2(3H, m), 5.51(1H, brs),                                      5.4-5.7(1H, m),                                      5.82, 6.05(1H, eachd, J=11Hz, 16Hz),                                      6.7-6.8(1H, m), 7.5-7.6(1H, m),                                      7.78(1H, s), 8.02(1H, s)    13 H H    N  3 1 R  R   2,4-difluorophenyl                                      1.02(3H, dd, J=3.7Hz), 1.5-1.8(2H, m),                                      2.0-2.2(2H, m), 2.3-2.5(2H, m),                                      2.6-2.9(3H, m), 3.15(1H, d, J=10Hz),                                      4.65(1H, s), 4.70(1H, s),                                      4.75(1H, J=15Hz), 5.53(1H, s),                                      6.7-6.9(2H, m), 7.5-7.6(1H, m),                                      7.78(1H, s), 8.04(1H, s)    14 H H    N  2 1 R  R   2,4-difluorophenyl                                      0.90(3H, dd, J=2Hz, 7Hz), 2.43(2H,                                      brs),                                      2.7-2.9(2H, m), 3.2-3.4(2H, m),                                      4.81(1H, d, J=15Hz), 4.86(1H, d,                                      J=2Hz),                                      4.90(1H, d, J=15Hz), 6.7-6.8(2H, m),                                      7.4-7.5(1H, m), 7.77(1H, s), 7.95(1H,    __________________________________________________________________________                                      s)

EXAMPLE 15 Another Process for Synthesizing the Compound in Example 1

There was dissolved 17-59 g (70 mmol) of (2R,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-methyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl!oxirane in 113 g of an aqueous solution of4-methylenepiperidine (content: 61%) and the obtained solution wasrefluxed with heating at 90° C. for 21 hours. After the reaction, anexcess of 4-methylenepiperidine was removed under reduced pressure, andthe residue was dissolved in 140 ml of isopropyl alcohol and thereto wasadded 13.32 g (70 mmol) of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate dissolvedin 50 ml of isopropyl alcohol. The obtained mixture was allowed to standfor 1 hour at room temperature and overnight in a refrigerator, and thenthe precipitated crystal was separated by filtration and washed with 50ml of isopropyl alcohol and dried to obtain 32.20 g of (2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-olp-toluenesulfonate in a form of a crystal.

To 18.3 g of the p-toluenesulfonate obtained above there were added 40ml of ethyl ether and 35 ml of 1N aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.The organic phase was taken out, and dried over 5 g of anhydrousmagnesium sulfate and then the solvent was removed. There was added 40ml of n-hexane to the residual liquid, and the precipitated crystal wasseparated by filtration, and dried to obtain 9.43 g of the desired(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol.¹ H-NMR spectrum of this compound coincided with that of the compound inExample 1.

Reference Example 1 Synthesis of 4-benzylidenepiperidine Hydrochloride

(1) In a stream of argon, 49.0 g (126 mmol) ofbenzyltriphenylphosphonium chloride was suspended in 100 ml of anhydroustetrahydrofurane, and thereto 86 ml of butyllithium was added dropwiseunder cooling with ice. After stirring the mixture at room temperaturefor 1 hour, thereto was added dropwise a solution of1-benzyl-4-piperidone in anhydrous tetrahydrofurane under cooling withice and the obtained mixture was refluxed with heating for 15 hours. Thereaction solution was filtrated, and diethyl ether and water were addedto the filtrate, and the organic phase was taken out. The organic phasewas washed with water and a saturated aqueous solution of sodiumchloride, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent wasremoved under reduced pressure, and the resulting oily matter wassubjected to a column chromatography using 1 kg of silica gel and elutedwith ethyl acetate-hexane (1:100 to 3:100) to obtain 22.6 g of1-benzyl-4-benzylidenepiperidine.

¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) δ ppm: 2.4-2.5 (4H,m), 2.5-2.6 (4H,m), 3.52(2H,s)) 6.27 (1H,s), 7.1-7.4 (19H,m)

(2) There was dissolved 24.6 g (96 mmol) of1-benzyl-4-benzylidenepiperidine in 200 ml of dichloroethane and thereto11.1 ml (102 mmol) of 1-chloroethyl chloroformate was added dropwiseunder cooling with ice. The reaction solution was refluxed with heatingfor 30 minutes and then stirred at room temperature for 1.5 hours. Thereaction solution was concentrated to 80 ml by removing the solventunder reduced pressure, thereto was added 209 ml of methanol and theobtained mixture was refluxed with heating for 12 hours. The solvent wasremoved under reduced pressure and to the obtained residue was added 100ml of isopropyl ether and the precipitate was separated by filtration toobtain 8.6 g of the titled compound.

¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) δ ppm: 2.74 (2H,t,J=6Hz), 2.84 (2H,t,J=6Hz),3.18 (2H,brs), 3.31 (2H,brs), 6.47 (1H,s), 7.1-7.4 (5H,m), 9.8 (2H,brs)

Reference Example 2 Synthesis of 4-diphenylmethylenepiperidine

(1) There was suspended 102 g (650 mmol) of ethyl isonipecotate in 100ml of dioxane. Under cooling with ice, thereto was added 213 g (974mmol) of t-butoxydicarbamate, and the obtained mixture was stirred for15 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and 234 g of1-t-butoxycarbonyl-4-ethoxycarbonylpiperidine was obtained.

¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) δ ppm: 1.27 (3H,t,J=7 Hz), 1.46 (9H,s), 1.6-1.7(2H,m), 1.8-1.9 (2H,m), 2.3-2.5 (1H,m), 2.8-2.9 (2H,m), 3.7-4.0 (2H,m),4.14 (2H,q,J=7 Hz)

(2) In a stream of argon, 26.4 g (72 mmol of1-t-butoxycarbonyl-4-ethoxycarbonylpiperidine was dissolved in 100 ml ofdry tetrahydrofuran and under cooling with ice, thereto 108 ml of 2mol/ml phenylmagnesium bromide was added dropwise and the obtainedmixture was stirred for 2 days. The reaction solution was poured into200 ml of a saturated solution of ammonium chloride and 200 ml of ethylacetate, and the organic phase was taken out. The organic phase waswashed with water and a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride,and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removedunder reduced pressure and 34.7 g of1-t-butoxycarbonyl-4-(hydroxydiphenylmethylpiperidine was obtained.

¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) δ ppm: 1.2 (4H,m), 1.42 (9H,s), 2.5-2.7 (3H,m),4.1-4.2 (2H,m), 7.2-7.5 (19H,m)

(3) There was dissolved 20 g (54 mmol) of1-t-butoxycarbonyl-4-(hydroxydiphenyl)methylpiperidine in 12.8 g ofphenol and 210 ml of 48% aqueous solution of hydrogen bromide, and theobtained solution was stirred at 140° C. for 5 hours and at roomtemperature for 15 hours. The organic phase was taken out, and theretowas added diethyl ether and then the resulting precipitate was separatedby filtration. To the precipitate was added diethyl ether and an aqueoussolution of potassium hydroxide, and the organic phase was taken out anddried over potassium hydroxide. The solvent was removed under reducedpressure and 6.1 g of the titled compound was obtained.

¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) δ ppm: 2.0 (1H,brs), 2.32 (4H,t,J=6 Hz), 2.91(4H,t,J=6 Hz), 7.1-7.3 (10H,m)

Reference Example 3 Synthesis of 4-propenylidenepiperidine Hydrochloride

(1) In a stream of argon, 2.9 g (7.5 mmol) of allyltriphenylphosphoniumbromide was suspended in 10 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofurane, andthereto 4.3 ml of butyllithium a was added dropwise under cooling withice. After stirring the mixture at room temperature for 30 minutes,thereto was added dropwise a solution of 1 g (5.3 mmol) of1-benzyl-4-piperidone in anhydrous tetrahydrofurane under cooling withice and the obtained mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15hours. The reaction solution was filtrated, and ethyl acetate and waterwere added to the filtrate, and the organic phase was taken out. Theorganic phase was washed with water and a saturated aqueous solution ofsodium chloride, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solventwas removed under reduced pressure, and the resulting oily matter wassubjected to a column chromatography using 40 g of silica gel and elutedwith ethyl acetate-hexane (1:1 to 1:3) to obtain 200 mg of1-benzyl-4-propylidenepiperidine.

¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃) δ ppm: 2.2-2.3 (2H,m), 2.4-2.5 (6H,m), 3.50(2H,s), 4.98 (1H,d,J=10 Hz), 5.11 (1H,d,J=17 Hz), 5.82 (1H,d,J=11 Hz),6.5-6.6 (1H,m), 7.2-7.3 (5H,m)

(2) There was dissolved 4.5 g (21 mmol) of1-benzyl-4-propylidenepiperidine in 20 ml of dichloroethane and thereto2.8 ml (25 mmol) of 1-chloroethyl chloroformate was added dropwise undercooling with ice. The reaction solution was stirred at room temperaturefor 30 minutes and then refluxed with heating for 30 minutes. Thereaction solution was concentrated to 10 ml by removing the solventunder reduced pressure, and thereto was added 60 ml of methanol and theobtained mixture was refluxed with heating for 12 hours. The solvent wasremoved under reduced pressure to obtain 3.7 g of the titled compound.

¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl₃), δ ppm: 2.3-3.0 (4H,m), 3.0-3.6 (4H,m), 4.7-6.3(4H,m)

PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATION EXAMPLE 1 Liquid Preparation

There was dissolved 200 ml of macrogol 400 in 750 ml of ethanol, andthereto was added 5 g of(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-olbeing the compound in Example 1 and dissolved. Then, the total volumethereof was made to 1000 ml with ethanol and the obtained liquid wasused as a liquid preparation.

PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATION EXAMPLE 2 Ointment

A mixture comprising 400 g of white soft paraffine, 180 g of cetanol, 1g of propyl p-hydroxybenzoate and 50 g of sorbitan sesquioleate -wasmelted on a water bath with keeping the temperature thereof at 80° C .Then 5 g of(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-olbeing the compound in Example 1, was added thereto and dissolved. To theabove-mentioned liquid, a liquid which was obtained by adding water to 1g of methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and heating the mixture to 80° C. to meltit, was gradually added and mixed them. After cooling the mixture, theobtained matter was used as an ointment.

PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATION EXAMPLE 3 Cream

A mixture comprising 15 g of white soft paraffin, 200 g of liquidparaffin, 50 g of stearyl alcohol, 40 g of glyceryl monostearate, 145 gof propylene glycol and 1 g of propyl p-hydroxybenzoate was melted on awater bath with keeping the temperature thereof at 8° C. Then 10 g of(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-olbeing the compound in Example 1, was added thereto and dissolved. To theobtained solution was added a solution which was obtained by adding 498g of purified water to 40 g of polyoxyl 40 stearate and 1 g of methylp-hydroxybenzoate and heating the obtained mixture to 80° C. to melt it,and then the obtained mixture was stirred thoroughly. After stirring,the mixture was further stirred thoroughly under cooling with cooledwater to become solid and then used as a cream

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The compounds of the present invention have a strong antifungalactivity. Therefore the fungicide containing the compound of the presentinvention having the general formula (I) as an effective ingredient, iseffective for preventing and treating mycosis in human and animals, andalso useful as fungicides for agricultural and horticultural use,fungicides for industrial use, and the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fungicide composition comprising from 0.1 to10% by weight of(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylenepiperidino)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-olhaving formula (I): ##STR11## or the acid addition salt thereof, and aninert carrier.
 2. The fungicide composition of claim 1 which is in theform of a cream.
 3. The fungicide composition of claim 1 which is in theform of a liquid preparation.
 4. The fungicide composition of claim 1which is in the form of an ointment.
 5. The fungicide composition ofclaim 1 which is in the form of a suppository.
 6. The fungicidecomposition of claim 1 which is in the form of an emulsion.
 7. Thefungicide composition of claim 1 which is in the form of a tablet. 8.The fungicide composition of claim 1 which is in the form of a granule.9. The fungicide composition of claim 1 which is in the form of acapsule.
 10. The fungicide composition of claim 1 which is in the formof an injection.